Systems Acquisition, Principal

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a senior leader to advance national defense acquisition reform and modernization, focusing on DoD processes, emerging technologies, and acquisition policy. The role supports executive sponsors and government officials to shape strategic initiatives within the Missile Defense Agency framework and across FF RDCs.

The qualified candidate will influence policy, drive collaboration with industry and academia, and provide authoritative guidance on acquisition reform while coordinating

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience.
• Broad exposure and significant roles across the DoW’s acquisition environment, including the innovation ecosystem.
• Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA or FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC-P/PM certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance or on track to achieve
• Track record of providing successful thought leadership in applying, teaching, or leading defense acquisition reform or modernization.
• Experience building coalitions and communities that span multiple organizations across government and the private sector.
• Strong critical thinking, analytic, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team settings across technical and organizational boundaries to achieve mission outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Effectively engage and motivate sponsors, stakeholders, and the enterprise on acquisition modernization and agility topics.
• Provide subject matter expertise on DoW and/or US federal civilian acquisition practices, including OT authorities and FAR/ITAR knowledge.
• Develop and propose innovative strategies, policies, and processes to improve acquisition outcomes.
• Contribute with impact as part of integrated product teams to transition emerging technologies and prototypes.
• Strategically communicate internally and externally on key issues related to defense acquisition.
• Build and manage relationships between sponsors, MITRE, and other stakeholders.
• Increase collaboration and coordination on acquisition reform across policy, practice, and academia.

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary

MITRE's Acquisition Division, Department for Acquisition Transformation & Applied Technologies (L581) is focused on advancing the art and science of cost analysis, acquisition, and management for national security missions. Our multidisciplinary team delivers objective, data-driven insights to help government sponsors make informed decisions about resource allocation, technology investments, and acquisition strategies. By combining deep expertise in cost estimation, acquisition policy, operations research, and analytics, the Acquisition Division enables sponsors to accelerate modernization, transition emerging technologies, and solve complex management challenges. We foster collaboration across government, industry, and academia—driving innovation and shaping resilient, effective solutions for the nation’s most critical missions. And above all - we bring objectivity, innovation, courage, and technical excellence to help our sponsors make the right decision.

Roles & Responsibilities

L581 is seeking a well-connected and recognized expert on defense acquisition and innovation. The ideal candidate will be a credible authority on defense acquisition, emerging technologies, and national security processes. You will belong to a high-performing team that regularly initiates and implements projects in support of senior and executive level Sponsors’ strategic initiatives within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The team will advise senior and executive-level government officials and directly support the MDA Director for Acquisition and Sustainment.

• Effectively engage and motivate sponsors, stakeholders, and the larger enterprise on acquisition modernization and agility topics ranging from acquisition policy to technology assessments, commercialization, and mission needs.
• Provide subject matter expertise on DoW and/or US federal civilian acquisition practices, including Non-FAR procurement authorities, such as Other Transaction (OT), acquisition processes applied across the defense innovation and rapid acquisition ecosystems, and working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Register (FAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and other US federal acquisition regulations.
• Develop and propose innovative strategies, policies, and processes that improve defense acquisition outcomes, ranging from programs, portfolios, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Contribute with impact as part of one or more integrated product teams to enable DoW to transition emerging technologies and prototypes.
• Strategically communicate internally and externally on key issues related to defense acquisition.
• Build and manage relationships between senior sponsors, MITRE, and other stakeholders (Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), think tanks, Industry, academia).
• Increase collaboration and coordination on acquisition reform and improvement issues across policy, practice, and academic domains.

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Broad exposure and significant roles across the DoW’s acquisition environment, including the innovation ecosystem.
• Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA or FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC-P/PM certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance or on track to achieve
• Track record of providing successful thought leadership in applying, teaching, or leading defense acquisition reform or modernization – prior experience as an acquisition professional, by itself, is not sufficient for this role.
• Experience building coalitions and communities that span multiple organizations across government and the private sector.
• Strong critical thinking, analytic, and problem-solving skills – comfortable working in dynamic settings where task objectives may evolve or need to be shaped, or creative solutions to task impediments must be identified.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team settings, to include establishing formal or informal teams or alliances which coordinate across technical and organizational boundaries to achieve significant mission outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working familiarity with the DoW Adaptative Acquisition Framework, including familiarity with the Defense Acquisition System (DAS), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, and/or Service-specific requirements and acquisition processes.
• Experience in three (3) or more of the following domain or functional areas adjacent to the key areas of modern acquisition reform, such as:
• Shift from Linear to Iterative Acquisition
• Accelerated Requirements and Decision-Making
• Empowering Program Executive Officers (PEOs)
• Strengthening Product Support and Sustainment
• Commercial Solutions First
• Modernizing Contracting and Reducing Red Tape
• Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
• Reforming Bid Protests and Procurement Practices
• Risk Management and Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Willingness to visit Sponsor sites periodically for direct engagement and/or meetings.
• Must have an active Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an active or the ability to obtain and maintain a DoW Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an Applied Science or Engineering.
• APDP Level III (PM) or equivalent DAWIA Level III/Advanced or FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC-P/PM Level III acquisition certification, or demonstrated equivalent expertise in large-scale defense acquisition leadership roles.
• Private sector experience defense, technology, or consulting industries.
• Experience working with OSD Research and Engineering and/or Acquisition and Sustainment staffs.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and leverage a strong professional network to provide thought leadership across the acquisition enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability leading critical acquisition modernization or reform efforts with visibility and trust at high levels of government and/or industry.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s)

Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s)

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$157,200 - $196,500 - $235,800 Annual

Work Location Type

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE’s employment process, please email [e-mail] for general support and [e-mail] for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply.

Benefits information may be found here.